A carriage is certainly faster than an ox cart—at least twice as fast. The journey to Tianmen Temple went smoothly, and they arrived before noon.
The abbot of Tianmen Temple, Master Huitong, personally came out to welcome them.
“Amitabha. Please, this way, Gu furen.”
“You are too kind, Master.”
The group followed the old monk into the main hall.
The Zhike monk presented incense and candles, and everyone knelt on the prayer mats behind Xie shi, devoutly praying.
Gu Jiu glanced around and suddenly noticed a man appearing in the hall. He had a fierce aura, dark skin, and an imposing presence—like a sword drawn from its sheath.
She frowned. When had this man entered?
The man clearly sensed her gaze. He turned around, his eyes sharp as blades, slicing toward her.
Gu Jiu shivered. Such a piercing gaze. This was a soldier—a man who had killed before, a warrior baptised in blood.
She quickly looked away. A moment later, when she glanced back, the man had vanished. It was as if everything had been just a dream.
After finishing their prayers, everyone stood up.
The Zhike monk led them to the rear courtyard.
“The kitchen has specially prepared a vegetarian meal for today. Gu furen, young benefactors, please rest in the courtyard for a while. The food will be served once it is ready.”
“Many thanks, little master,” Xie shi responded courteously.
They passed through a moon gate into the rear courtyard. Seeing the familiar surroundings, Gu Jiu felt a wave of nostalgia.
Once settled, Xie shi addressed the group. “There’s still some time before lunch. You may go explore, but do not wander too far. Be back in an hour for the meal.”
Gu Yue beamed. “Mother, nü’er want to go to the back mountain to see the maple trees. I’ve heard the scenery there is breathtaking.”
Xie shi smiled. “Go ahead, but be careful.”
“Mother, don’t worry. Nü’er will be cautious.”
Gu Yue pulled Gu Shan along with her and left.
Gu Jiu also took the opportunity to excuse herself.
Gu Lin initially wanted to follow her, but Gu Jiu planned to meet Pei Yun, so she refused her outright.
Feeling wronged, Gu Lin stomped her foot and ran off.
Qing Mei muttered under her breath, “Wu guniang is acting spoiled again.”
Gu Jiu said, “Ignore her.”
She headed for the back mountain and soon spotted Pei Yun sitting in a pavilion.
Today, Pei Yun was dressed in a modest, elegant outfit, accompanied only by two maidservants. She appeared unusually low-key.
Gu Jiu approached and called out, “Pei jiejie.”
Pei Yun looked up and smiled. “Gu meimei is here. Have a seat.”
Gu Jiu sat on a stone stool. A maid stepped forward and poured tea.
Pei Yun asked, “How has meimei been lately?”
Gu Jiu nodded. “Thank you for your concern, Pei jiejie. I’ve been well. I’m deeply grateful that Pei jiejie agreed to meet me.”
Pei Yun smiled faintly. “No need for formalities. I found the woollen fabric you mentioned in your letter intriguing. May I see it?”
As always, Pei Yun was straightforward.
Gu Jiu gestured, and Qing Mei handed over the woollen fabric samples.
She passed them to Pei Yun. “Please have a look, Pei jiejie.”
Pei Yun examined the fabric carefully, feeling its texture.
“It’s soft and warm,” she said with a smile. “Perfect for winter clothing.”
Gu Jiu nodded. “Exactly.”
Returning the sample, Pei Yun asked, “Gu meimei, can this truly be mass-produced? Will it be difficult?”
Gu Jiu chuckled. “The weaving itself isn’t difficult. The challenge lies in the large amounts of water needed to clean the wool and the labour required to sort it.”
Pei Yun laughed. “Both of those issues are easy to solve. Gu meimei, I’m very interested in this wool industry. I’d like to invest.”
Gu Jiu was overjoyed. “Really? Doesn’t Pei jiejie want to think it over some more?”
Pei Yun shook her head. “I made up my mind on the way here. I decided that as long as your samples satisfied me, I would agree to cooperate.”
Gu Jiu hesitated. “Isn’t Pei jiejie worried about losing money? The wool industry might not take off, and all our efforts could go to waste.”
Pei Yun smiled. “I believe in Gu meimei.”
Gu Jiu’s eyes crinkled as she smiled warmly. “Thank you for your trust, Pei jiejie. I won’t let you down.”
They continued discussing their partnership.
Pei Yun agreed to be the wool workshop’s backer. Even if she left the northwest and returned to the capital, she would arrange for someone trustworthy to oversee it.
She also invested 3,000 taels, taking a 40% share but opting not to interfere with management.
Gu Jiu expressed her gratitude. “Without you, this wool workshop would never have happened. Thank you for your generosity.”
Pei Yun chuckled. “I’m just hoping to make some pocket money. Honestly, I’m more interested in seeing the scene you described in your letter.”
Gu Jiu was touched.
Pei Yun didn’t lack wealth, nor did she need extra income. Her willingness to invest and be a backer was partly out of gratitude for when Gu Jiu had saved her before.
Gu Jiu would always remember this kindness.
“The hour is late. I shouldn’t stay longer. Pei jiejie, let’s part ways here.”
“Safe travels, Gu meimei. I won’t be able to see you off when you return to Jingcheng, but I wish you a smooth journey.”
“Thank you for your kind words, Pei jiejie.”
Pei Yun smiled and added, “Gu meimei, when I return to the capital, I’ll invite you out. You mustn’t refuse.”
Gu Jiu chuckled. “I’d be delighted.”
“Then it’s settled.”
Gu Jiu left Pei Yun and returned to the rear courtyard.
The moment she stepped inside, she sensed something was off.
Then, she spotted the fierce-looking man from the prayer hall emerging from the main gate.
She froze, glancing around, almost doubting whether she had entered the wrong courtyard.
Why was he here?
Pei Meng also noticed her—the same guniang who had boldly stared at him in the prayer hall.
Without sparing her a glance, he brushed past her and strode away.
Gu Jiu quickly asked, “What happened?”
Too strange.
Xiao Cui pulled her aside and whispered, “San guniang fell while coming down the mountain—right onto Pei gongzi! Then Pei gongzi carried her back.”
“That man’s surname is Pei?” Gu Jiu’s eyes narrowed.
Xiao Cui nodded vigorously. “I was outside the window and heard it clearly. He introduced himself as Pei.”
Gu Jiu gazed after Pei Meng’s retreating figure. He must be Pei Yun’s older brother.
But for Gu Yue to fall right onto him? Too coincidental.
She wanted to check on Gu Yue, but Chun He stopped her. “Er guniang, please rest in the side room. Taitai is speaking with san guniang—it’s not convenient right now.”
Gu Jiu didn’t insist. “Is san meimei badly hurt?”
“Just a twisted ankle,” Chun He replied.
Hearing that, Gu Jiu relaxed and left for the guest room.
Inside, Gu Yue lay on the bed, while Xie shi sat beside her, her face dark.
She stared at Gu Yue. “Tell me the truth. Was your fall an accident or deliberate?”
Gu Yue’s voice was timid. “It was an accident.”
Xie shi narrowed her eyes. “You’re not lying?”
Gu Yue had a history of scheming, so Xie shi wasn’t easily convinced.
Gu Yue nodded frantically. “Nü’er wouldn’t dare deceive Mother. My foot slipped on the stairs, and nü’er fell. Luckily, Pei gongzi was nearby, or nü’er might have been disfigured.”
Xie shi’s expression darkened. “I will personally thank Pei gongzi. But from now on, you are forbidden from mentioning him again.”
Gu Yue was bewildered. “Nü’er doesn’t understand.”
“You don’t need to understand.” Xie shi was both shocked and furious.
Her brother had assigned her a task, which she had already refused in writing. Could he have secretly arranged this accident, forcing Gu Yue to marry Pei Meng?
But Pei Meng was already married. If Gu Yue ended up with him, she would only be a concubine.
The hardships and difficulties of being a concubine—no one understood them better than Xie shi.
No matter what, she would never let her daughter become one.
Gu Jiu noticed Xie shi’s ever-changing expression and felt uneasy.
She cautiously asked, “Mother, did nü’er do something wrong? At that time, nü’er told Pei gongzi that he didn’t need to escort me back. But he insisted, and nü’er had no choice.”
Xie shi stared at Gu Yue. “Do you know who this Pei gongzi is?”
Gu Jiu nodded, then hesitated and shook her head. “I have some guesses.”
“Since you’ve guessed, I won’t hide it from you. This Pei gongzi is the eldest di son of Lu hou. He married years ago, and if I remember correctly, his child is already five or six years old. Yue’er, do you understand what I’m saying?”
Xie shi fixed her gaze on Gu Yue, watching for the slightest change in her expression.
Gu Yue looked timid. “Nü’er understands, Mother. Nü’er won’t have any improper thoughts just because Pei gongzi escorted me home.”
Xie shi let out a sigh of relief. “That’s good.”
If it had been someone else, Xie shi wouldn’t have been so nervous. But Pei Meng—he made her feel as though she was facing a great enemy.
She feared that this incident wasn’t an accident, but something orchestrated. Someone had deliberately arranged for Gu Yue and Pei Meng to meet, and their intentions were obvious.
What made things worse was that Pei Meng had carried Gu Yue back.
Yes, carried her in his arms—every servant had seen it. This made Xie shi frown deeply.
That Pei gongzi was truly inconsiderate. A young lady—how could he just carry her like that? Even if he meant to help, he should have been more mindful. Clearly, he had spent too much time in the military camp and forgotten the rules of propriety.
Xie shi instructed Gu Yue, “Focus on recovering from your injury. Don’t let your thoughts run wild. I’ll be back soon.”
Gu Yue obediently nodded.
Xie shi left the bedroom with a stormy expression.
She asked Chun He, “Where is Ping mama?”
Chun He bowed and replied, “Taitai, she should be in the side chamber.”
Without a moment’s delay, Xie shi strode toward the side chamber.
As soon as she saw Ping mama, she lowered her voice and asked coldly, “Did you orchestrate Yue’er’s accident?”
Ping mama remained calm. “Taitai misunderstands. Nubi know nothing about san guniang’s situation. Wasn’t it said that this was just an accident?”
“Hmph!”
Xie shi’s face was dark. “An accident? How many coincidences can there be? She just happened to fall in front of Pei gongzi, and he just happened to carry her back? You old servant, even now you refuse to tell the truth.”
“Taitai, nubi swears, nubi had no hand in this. Nubi is telling the truth.”
Xie shi pointed at Ping mama. “Are you certain you didn’t harm Yue’er? Yue’er said she slipped when stepping down the stairs. Tell me—did you tamper with them beforehand?”
Ping mama shook her head. “Taitai, nubi was in the side chamber the whole time. Nubi never left. How could nubi have done anything? Taitai is overthinking this. San guniang’s fall was truly an accident.”
Xie shi let out a cold snort. “It better be an accident. If I find out someone is using this to manipulate things, trying to force Yue’er into becoming Pei gongzi’s concubine, I won’t forgive them.”
Ping mama bowed. “Taitai, rest assured, no one will make san guniang a concubine. Laoye made it clear in his letter—he has abandoned this plan. You don’t need to worry.”
Xie shi’s face remained stern. “It better be that way.”
With a flick of her sleeve, she strode away.
As she exited, she told Chun He, “Pass down my orders. Concerning san guniang’s matter, a gag order is in place. If anyone dares to gossip in private, they will be severely punished.”
“Yes, taitai.”
Xie shi was truly furious.
She would not allow anyone to scheme against her precious daughter right under her nose.
She had to not only silence the servants but also keep a close watch on Gu Yue. She couldn’t let Gu Yue develop any improper feelings for Pei gongzi. She would personally ensure that.
If Gu Yue showed even the slightest sign of romantic interest, Xie shi would swiftly put an end to it before it could take root.
At this moment, she resented Tianmen Temple for being unlucky. They had barely arrived, and something had already happened—exactly what she had feared the most.
She wanted to leave for Jinzhou immediately. However, leaving without even eating the temple’s vegetarian meal would only attract more attention.
Besides, the magistrate furen had already arrived and was currently in the main hall burning incense. She would be coming over soon.
So, even though Xie shi wanted nothing more than to sprout wings and fly back to Jinzhou City with Gu Yue, she had no choice but to endure.
In the left wing, Gu Zhen said to Gu Jiu, “Er meimei, taitai and san meimei have finished talking. Let’s go visit san meimei.”
Gu Jiu said, “Let’s wait a little longer.” After a pause, she asked, “Da jiejie, were you there when san meimei was brought back?”
Gu Zhen shook her head. “No, I heard the news and rushed back.”
Gu Jiu nodded. “How did san meimei fall, just like that?”
Gu Zhen smirked with a hint of schadenfreude. “She must have been too full of herself.”
Soon, Gu Shan and Gu Lin arrived as well. Hearing that Gu Yue had sprained her ankle and couldn’t walk, Gu Shan was worried.
Gu Lin, however, grumbled, “San meimei is really something. She can’t even walk properly.”
With Xie shi’s permission, the group entered the room to check on Gu Yue.
Gu Yue looked listless, clearly lacking energy.
Gu Shan was the first to ask, “San meimei, are you alright?”
Gu Yue nodded. “I’m fine. I just need two days of rest.”
Gu Zhen asked curiously, “San meimei, how did you fall?”
Gu Yue replied irritably, “I slipped and fell. Da jiejie, surely you don’t think I did it on purpose?”
“Of course not.” Gu Zhen forced a smile.
Gu Jiu observed Gu Yue closely. Her expression was gloomy and a bit agitated, as if something was weighing on her mind.
Just as she was about to probe further, a servant girl called out from outside, “The magistrate furen has arrived.”
Gu Yue lifted her head, looking delighted. “Xu jiejie is here.”
Gu Zhen suddenly instructed Gu Yue, “San meimei, you should stay in bed. We’ll greet Xu guniang on your behalf.”
Gu Yue fixed her gaze on Gu Zhen. “I appreciate your concern, da jiejie, but that won’t be necessary.”
A maid entered and invited Gu Jiu and the others outside to greet their guest.
The group exited the room and entered the hall to pay their respects to the magistrate furen, Cai shi.
Cai shi asked curiously, “Meimei, where is Yue’er?”
Xie shi replied, “That child is too reckless. She went to play at the back mountain and accidentally fell. She sprained her ankle and is resting now.”
Cai shi asked with concern, “Is her injury serious?”
Xie shi smiled. “Thank you for your concern, jiejie. Her ankle is swollen but not serious. She’ll recover in a couple of days.”
Cai shi nodded. “That’s good. Yuanniang, go check on Yue’er and remind her to rest well.”
Xu Yuanniang stood up. “Nü’er listens to Mother.”
Gu Zhen immediately volunteered, “Xu guniang, let me lead the way. This way, please.”
“Thank you, Zhen meimei.” Xu Yuanniang smiled.
Gu Jiu raised an eyebrow—da jiejie was being unusually proactive today.Gu Lin muttered to herself in discontent, “We’re about to return to the capital soon. What’s the point of trying to curry favour with Xu guniang now?”
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